Quietly Helping Families Affected by Some of the Region’s Most Devastating Acts of Violence
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Since 1939, Hopkins House has been known for its nationally accredited Preschool Academies and commitment to preparing young children for lifelong success. Yet, beyond its early childhood education programs, the organization quietly operates several initiatives that address the needs of children, youth, and families facing extraordinary life challenges.
Among the least known of these initiatives — and perhaps most meaningful — is the Elward J. Alexander III Memorial Gift, a unique program established in 2001 by the Hopkins House Trustees to provide financial assistance and hope to children and families whose lives have been forever changed by violent crime.
Because of the deeply personal and sensitive nature of the program, Hopkins House has intentionally maintained a low public profile regarding the Elward J. Alexander III Memorial Gift. The organization does not accept applications. Instead, Hopkins House volunteers monitor newspaper reports, television broadcasts, and other media coverage to identify children and families affected by violent crime. A member of the organization’s staff then contacts the family to express support, assess their needs, and, when appropriate, coordinate assistance through the Memorial Gift Program.
The Memorial Gift was established following the tragic murder of Elward J. Alexander III, a promising Morgan State University accounting student who was killed near the Baltimore campus in September 1999. More than a quarter century later, his murder remains unsolved. In the wake of this devastating loss, Berkshire Mortgage Finance Company, where both Elward and his mother were employed, created a permanent memorial endowment and entrusted Hopkins House with establishing and administering the Elward J. Alexander III Memorial Gift Program, ensuring that Elward’s legacy would live on through acts of compassion, hope, and support for other families affected by violent crime.
Funded from endowment proceeds and contributions from Hopkins House donors, and designed to help recipients pay for educational expenses, school materials, bereavement counseling, psychological counseling, and other services that assist families as they rebuild their lives following unimaginable loss, the Memorial Gift continues to provide meaningful financial assistance to families affected by violent crime.
Over the past twenty-five years, the Elward J. Alexander III Memorial Gift has distributed thousands of dollars in assistance to children and families throughout Virginia and Maryland (where Elward and his family lived). Among those receiving support have been families affected by some of the region’s most devastating acts of violence, including victims of the 2008 D.C. Sniper attacks, demonstrating Hopkins House’s enduring commitment to helping families during their times of greatest need.
“While many people know Hopkins House through our Preschool Academies, our mission has always extended far beyond the classroom,” said J. Glenn Hopkins, President & CEO of Hopkins House. “For more than 87 years, we have worked to improve the lives of children, youth, and families wherever the need exists. The Elward J. Alexander III Memorial Gift is one of the most compassionate expressions of that mission. Because we serve families experiencing profound grief and trauma, we have intentionally kept this program largely out of the public eye. This year marks the 25th year of the Gift and we believe it is important to recognize Elward’s legacy and the generosity that has quietly helped so many families over the past quarter century.”
When the program was established, Berkshire Mortgage Finance (now defunct) and the Alexander family envisioned the Memorial Gift as both a practical resource and a symbol of hope. They hoped the program would not only assist grieving families but also increase public awareness of the devastating consequences of violence and encourage communities to choose peace over tragedy.
The Elward J. Alexander III Memorial Gift reflects Hopkins House’s broader commitment to strengthening children, youth, and families in every aspect of their lives. In addition to operating its nationally accredited Preschool Academies, Hopkins House provides workforce development through its Early Childhood Learning Institute (ECLI), scholarships and tuition assistance for low-income families, family support services, and other initiatives that promote educational achievement, economic mobility, and family stability throughout Northern Virginia.
